Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

A fascinating journey

Taranath's interests range from music to teaching and poultry

PHOTO: R.M. RAJARATHINAM

MELODIOUS Striking a chord

A two-hour sarod concert was all that it took to transform a research scholar in English into an internationally acclaimed musician.

It was at a concert of the legendary sarod maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan that Rajeev Taranath decided to turn a musician himself.

And it did not take long for him to become one of the world's leading exponents of Sarod, a string instrument played with the nail of left hand and with a coconut shell pick in the right hand.

Undying zeal

Hailing from a family of Hindustani musicians, Taranath had been trained by his father and was a radio artist during his college days.

"But the concert made me realise my heart's longing," he says, recalling his meetings with the Guru.

For over a year, Bangalore-based Taranath tried various means of contacting Ali Akbar Khan.

"I finally met him in Mumbai when he handed me an antiquated sarod and asked me to practice."

When Taranath got his notes right, Akbar Khan decided to take him as his disciple, with a word of caution:

"I cannot promise you fame and money but with this undying zeal, you can master my lessons."

Though he went on to become a professor at Central Institute of English and Foreign Language, Hyderabad, Taranath soon quit the job and took to Sarod at the age of 21.

Now at 74, he feels his training is still on. Taranath has composed music for several national and international films. A recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academi Award, he has also received several state awards from the Karnataka government.

Music and Chemistry

His ability to strike an emotional chord with the audience has been a unique feature of his concerts.

Keeping the audience hooked during long concerts has never been a challenge to him. "Chemistry always works between two live things. When there is music, there is chemistry," he laughs.

Known for his clarity and knowledge, Taranath regrets not learning Carnatic music. "Hindustani and Carnatic music are just stylistically different. But after all, learning a different kind of music is always a pleasure," he says.

His association with Tiruchi, he says, has been unforgettable.

He had served as a professor at the National Institute of Technology (the then Regional Engineering College) and Jamal Mohamed College here.

It was during this period that he was influenced by the Dravidian movements and Periyar's works.

A perfectionist, Taranath has also tried his hands successfully in poultry farming.

"I have varied interests but my priorities are clear," he wraps up.

S.AISHWARYA

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail